XML 23 R9.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations and basis of consolidation  Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (“FMCB”) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Lodi, California and is the bank holding company for Farmers & Merchants Bank of Central California (the “Bank” or “F&M Bank” and together with FMCB, the “Company”).  The Company operates all business activities through the Bank, which was organized in 1916.  F&M Bank is a California state-chartered bank.  F&M Bank operates under the supervision of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (“DFPI”), and its deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). F&M Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System; however, FMCB operates as a bank holding company under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, subject to and under the supervision of and examination by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) and is the sole shareholder of F&M Bank. Both FMCB and F&M Bank are subject to periodic examination by these applicable federal and state regulatory agencies and file periodic reports and other information with the agencies.  The Company considers F&M Bank to be its sole operating segment.

The Company’s other wholly-owned subsidiaries include F & M Bancorp, Inc. and FMCB Statutory Trust I. F & M Bancorp, Inc. was created in March 2002 to protect the name F & M Bank. During 2002, the Company completed a fictitious name filing in California to begin using the streamlined name “F & M Bank” as part of a larger effort to enhance the Company’s image and build brand name recognition. In December 2003, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, FMCB Statutory Trust I, for the sole purpose of issuing Trust Preferred Securities and related subordinated debentures. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), FMCB Statutory Trust I is a non-consolidated subsidiary.

Through its network of 29 banking offices and 3 free-standing ATMs, F&M Bank emphasizes personalized service along with a broad range of banking services to businesses and individuals located in the service areas of its offices. Although the Company focuses on marketing its services to small and medium-sized businesses, a broad range of retail banking services are also made available to the local consumer market.  F&M Bank branches are located through the mid Central Valley of California, including Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus and Merced counties and the east region of the San Francisco Bay Area including Napa, Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

F&M Bank provides a broad complement of lending products, including commercial, commercial real estate, real estate construction, agribusiness, consumer, credit card, residential real estate loans, and equipment leases. Commercial products include term loans, leases, lines of credit and other working capital financing and letters of credit. Financing products for individuals include automobile financing, lines of credit, residential real estate, home improvement and home equity lines of credit.

F&M Bank also offers a wide range of deposit products. These include checking, savings, money market, time certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts and online banking services for both business and personal accounts.

F&M Bank offers a wide range of specialized services designed for the needs of its commercial accounts. These services include a credit card program for merchants, lockbox and other collection services, account reconciliation, investment sweep, on-line account access, and electronic funds transfers by way of domestic and international wire and automated clearinghouse.

F&M Bank makes investment products available to customers, including mutual funds and annuities. These investment products are offered through a third-party, which employs investment advisors to meet with and provide investment advice to the Company’s customers.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of FMCB together with the Bank. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Use of estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”), the determination of the fair value of certain financial instruments, and deferred income tax assets.

Reclassifications — Certain amounts in the prior years’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.  There was no impact on net income or retained earnings as a result of any reclassification.
 
Cash and cash equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks, interest bearing deposits, and federal funds sold, all of which have original maturities of three months or less. The Company places its cash with high credit quality institutions. The amounts on deposit fluctuate and, at times, exceed the insured limit by the FDIC, which potentially subjects the Company to credit risk.  For these instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment securities — Investment securities are classified as held-to-maturity (“HTM”) when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity.  Investment securities are classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) when the Company has the intent of holding the security for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity.  The Company determines the appropriate classification at the time of purchase, and periodically thereafter.  Investment securities classified at HTM are carried at amortized cost.  Investment securities classified at AFS are reported at fair value.  Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.  Debt securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at cost, net of the allowance for credit losses – securities, adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts to the earliest callable date.  Debt securities classified as available-for-sale are measured at fair value.  Unrealized holding gains and losses on debt securities classified as available-for-sale are excluded from earnings and are reported net of tax as accumulated other comprehensive income (or loss) (AOCI), a component of shareholders’ equity, until realized.  When AFS securities, specifically identified, are sold, the unrealized gain or loss is reclassified from AOCI to non-interest income.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Securities — Management measures expected credit losses on held-to- maturity debt securities on a collective basis by major security type. The Company’s HTM portfolio contains securities issued by U.S. government entities and agencies and municipalities. The Company uses industry historical credit loss information adjusted for current conditions to establish the allowance for credit losses on its HTM municipal bond portfolio. Further information regarding our policies and methodology used to estimate the allowance for credit losses on held-to-maturity securities is presented in Note 2 – Investment securities.

For available-for-sale debt securities in an unrealized loss position, the Company first assesses whether it intends to sell, or is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that, the Company will be required to sell the security before recovering its cost basis, the entire impairment loss would be recognized in earnings. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that, the Company will be required to sell the security, the Company evaluates whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit losses or other factors. In making this assessment, management considers the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency, and adverse conditions specifically related to the security, among other factors. If this assessment indicates that a credit loss exists, the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the security are compared to the amortized cost basis of the security. Projected cash flows are discounted by the current effective interest rate. If the present value of cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost basis, a credit loss exists and an allowance for credit losses is recorded for the credit loss, limited by the amount that the fair value is less than the amortized cost basis. The remaining impairment related to all other factors, the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and fair value, is recognized as a charge to AOCI.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses-securities are recorded as provision for (or reversal of) credit losses. Losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the non-collectability of an available-for-sale security is confirmed or when either criteria regarding intent of requirement to sell is met.

Non-marketable equity securities — Non-marketable equity securities primarily consist of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock. FHLB stock is restricted because such stock may only be sold to FHLB at its par value. Due to the restrictive terms, and the lack of a readily determinable market value, FHLB stock is carried at cost. The investments in FHLB stock are required investments related to the Bank’s borrowings from FHLB. FHLB obtains its funding primarily through issuance of consolidated obligations of the FHLB system. The U.S. government does not guarantee these obligations, and each of the regional FHLBs are jointly and severally liable for repayment of each other’s debt.

Loans and leases held for investment — Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on acquired loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the effective interest method.

Non-Accrual Loans and Leases - Accrual of interest on loans and leases is generally discontinued when a loan or lease becomes contractually past due by 90 days or more with respect to interest or principal. When loans and leases are 90 days past due, but in management’s judgment are well secured and in the process of collection, they may not be classified as non-accrual. When a loan or lease is placed on non-accrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed. Income on such loans and leases is then recognized only to the extent that cash is received and where the future collection of principal is probable.

Restructured loan and leases
— A restructuring of a loan or lease constitutes a TDR under ASC 310-40, if the Company for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, except when subject to the CARES Act and H.R. 133, as discussed below. Restructured loans or leases typically present an elevated level of credit risk, as the borrowers are not able to perform according to the original contractual terms. If the restructured loan or lease was current on all payments at the time of restructure and management reasonably expects the borrower will continue to perform after the restructure, management may keep the loan or lease on accrual. Loans and leases that are on non-accrual status at the time they become TDR loans or leases, remain on non-accrual status until the borrower demonstrates a sustained period of performance, which the Company generally believes to be six consecutive months of payments, or equivalent. A loan or lease can be removed from TDR status if it was restructured at a market rate in a prior calendar year and is currently in compliance with its modified terms. However, these loans or leases continue to be classified as collateral dependent and are individually evaluated for impairment.

Generally, the Company will not restructure loans or leases for borrowers unless: (1) the existing loan or lease is brought current as to principal and interest payments; and (2) the restructured loan or lease can be underwritten to reasonable underwriting standards. If these standards are not met other actions will be pursued (e.g., foreclosure) to collect outstanding loan or lease amounts. After restructure, a determination is made whether the loan or lease will be kept on accrual status based upon the underwriting and historical performance of the restructured credit.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law and was amended and extended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“H.R. 133”) on December 21, 2020. The CARES Act and H.R. 133 provide financial institutions, under specific circumstances, the opportunity to temporarily suspend certain requirements under generally accepted accounting principles related to modifications for a limited period to account for the effects of COVID-19. In March 2020, a joint statement was issued by federal and state regulatory agencies, after consultation with the FASB, to clarify that short-term loan modifications are not TDRs if made on a good-faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief. Under this guidance, six months is provided as an example of short-term, and current is defined as less than 30 days past due at the time the modification program is implemented. The guidance also provides that these modified loans generally will not be classified as nonaccrual during the term of the modification. As of December 31, 2022, all loans that were restructured as part of the CARES Act have returned to the contractual terms and conditions of the loans, without exception.

Allowance for Credit Losses Loans  The methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans is considered a critical accounting policy by Management because of the high degree of judgment involved. The subjectivity of the assumptions used and the potential for changes in the economic environment could result in changes to the amount of the recorded ACL. Among the material estimates required to establish the ACL are: (i) a reasonable and supportable forecast; (ii) a reasonable and supportable forecast period and the reversion period; (iii) value of collateral; strength of guarantors; (iv) the amount and timing of future cash flows for loans individually evaluated; and (v) the determination of the qualitative loss factors. All of these estimates are susceptible to significant change.

The Company has established systematic methodologies for the determination of the adequacy of the ACL. The methodologies are set forth in a formal policy and take into consideration the need for a valuation allowance for loans evaluated on a collective (pool) basis, which have similar risk characteristics as well as allowances to individual loans that do not share risk characteristics.

The ACL is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of loans to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans. The provision for credit losses reflects the amount required to maintain the ACL at an appropriate level based upon management’s evaluation of the adequacy of loss reserves. The Company increases its ACL by charging provisions for credit losses on its consolidated statement of income. Losses related to specific assets are applied as a reduction of the carrying value of the assets and charged against the ACL when management believes a loan balance is uncollectable. Recoveries on previously charged off loans are credited to the ACL.

Management estimates the ACL using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience, either internal or peer information, provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made, using qualitative factors, when management expects current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts to differ from the conditions that existed for the period over which historical information was evaluated. The ACL is maintained at a level sufficient to provide for expected credit losses over the life of the loan based on evaluating historical credit loss experience and making adjustments to historical loss information for differences in the specific risk characteristics in the current loan portfolio. These factors include, among others, changes in the size and composition of the loan portfolio, differences in underwriting standards, delinquency rates, actual loss experience and current economic conditions.

On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as amended, which replaces the incurred loss methodology that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as CECL. Both the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB Staff Q&A Topic 326, No. 1”) and the federal financial institution regulatory agencies (“Financial Institution Letter FIL-17-2019”), along with the Securities and Exchange Commission, have confirmed that smaller, less complex organizations are not required to implement complex models, developed by outside vendors to calculate current expected credit losses. Accordingly, in adopting ASU 2016-13 (Topic 326) Management determined that the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (“WARM”) method was most appropriate given the Company’s current size and complexity.

Management will incorporate reasonable and supportable information in order to calculate CECL reserves. This includes the ability to reliably forecast and document exogenous events that may affect the credit performance of the Company’s loan portfolio. Management is confident with its ability to effectively identify

historical loss information by the appropriate portfolio segmentation. In addition, Management believes that it can reasonably obtain historical loss information by its respective peers to further improve historical loss information. Additionally, the Company believes that it can effectively evaluate the potential impact that both macro and micro-economic conditions can have on its loan portfolio. Management is also comfortable that it can rely on weighted average maturity calculations, including estimated prepayments with its existing third party Asset/Liability Management (“ALM”) applications.

Management determined that the most effective approach to segment its portfolio and to extract the relevant information it needed to calculate its CECL reserves was to utilize the seventeen loan segments used in preparing regulatory Call Reports. This allows Management the ability to obtain historical loss information for itself as well as its peer group. Additionally, Management’s ALM application also utilizes a similar loan segmentation in calculating weighted average remaining terms.

The foundation of CECL modeling is the ability to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of a loan. Management must use relevant available information about past events (e.g. historical losses) current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts about future conditions. Historical losses serve as the starting point to estimate expected credit losses. When available, historical losses should include cumulative actual losses incurred over the lifetime of the various loan segments of the loans being evaluated. In cases where such information is not available, companies may need to rely on external data, such as peer data of historical losses for similar loan segments.

Management has determined to use a “through-the-cycle” historical credit loss experience as its baseline for historical credit losses. Management has determined a representative period for a full credit cycle would be from 2008 to 2022 (fifteen-year credit cycle). Management has collected historical loss information on its own loan portfolio as well as peer group information by the seventeen loan segments over this time horizon using information available from the Federal regulators on the Uniform Bank Performance Report (“UBPR”).

Federal Regulators have placed the Company into a peer group of banks with assets between $3 billion to $10 billion. This peer group segmentation includes 181 banks across the nation. The model calculates the mean historical loss rate over the 15-year economic cycle for both the Bank and its peer group. The model calculates the stressed historical loss rate over the 15-year economic cycle for both the Bank and its peer group.

Management evaluates macro and micro economic information as well as internal trends in credit performance on the Company’s loan portfolio to determine where they believe it is in an economic credit cycle. Depending upon estimations of what point in the credit cycle the current economy may exist, management adjusts, on a quantitative basis, historical loss rates either upwards or downwards from the mean. If Management believes we are nearing the end on a credit cycle, the Company may adjust historical losses in increments higher from the mean (e.g. one standard deviation from the mean). If the Company believes that we are in the recovery stage of a credit cycle, it may adjust historical losses downwards from the mean. Management understands that historical credit losses may not exactly follow a normal bell-shaped curve, but that the approach provides consistency across all loan segments as well as a measured probability of credit loss coverage.

Management evaluated current economic metrics as its basis to determine that it believes that the U.S. economy is at the beginning of an economic recession. Based on this determination, management has used a one-standard deviation from the mean to capture 68.2% of all credit losses over the 15-year economic cycle.

Management used the duration of each loan segment to estimate the remaining life of loans to ensure that the model covers credit losses over the expected life of such loans.

Management will continue to employ the use of qualitative factors as defined by the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“SR 2006-17”). Management will consider qualitative or environmental factors that are likely to cause estimated credit losses associated with our existing portfolio to differ from historical loss experience, as defined in the Interagency Guidance, including but not limited to:

Changes in lending policies and procedures, including changes in underwriting standards and collection, charge-off, and recovery practices not considered elsewhere in estimating credit losses.

Changes in international, national, regional, and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments.

Changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio and in the terms of loans.

Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff.

Changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of non-accrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans.

Changes in the quality of the institution’s loan review system.

Changes in the value of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans.

The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.

The effect of other external factors such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in the institution’s existing portfolio.

These qualitative factors are applied primarily to our agriculture and agricultural real estate loan exposure.

Premises and equipment — Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets below:
 
Building and building improvements
30 to 40 years
Leasehold improvements
term of lease
Furniture and equipment
3 to 7 years
Computers, software and equipment
3 to 7 years

Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred while major additions and improvements are capitalized.

Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) — The Bank has purchased life insurance policies. These policies provide protection against the adverse financial effects that could result from the death of a key employee and provide tax-exempt income to offset expenses associated with certain employee benefit plans. It is the Bank’s intent to hold these policies as a long-term investment; however, there may be an income tax impact if the Bank chooses to surrender certain policies. Although the lives of individual current or former management-level employees are insured, the Bank is the owner and sole or partial beneficiary. BOLI is carried at the cash surrender value (“CSV”) of the underlying insurance contract. Changes in the CSV and any death benefits received in excess of the CSV are recognized as non-interest income.

Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase considerations paid over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of the fair values of liabilities assumed in a business combination and is not amortized but is reviewed annually as of December 31, or more frequently as current circumstances and conditions warrant, for impairment. An assessment of qualitative factors is completed to determine if it is more likely than not that, the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative analysis concludes that further analysis is required, then a quantitative impairment test would be completed. The quantitative goodwill impairment compares the reporting unit’s estimated fair values, including goodwill, to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds its reporting unit’s fair value, then an impairment loss would be recognized as a charge to earnings but is limited by the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Other intangible assets — Other intangible assets consist primarily of core deposit intangibles (“CDI”), which are amounts recorded in business combinations or deposit purchase transactions related to the value of transaction-related deposits and the value of the client relationships associated with the deposits. Core deposit intangibles are amortized over the estimated useful lives of such deposits. These assets are reviewed at least annually for events or circumstances that could affect their recoverability. These events could include loss of the underlying core deposits, increased competition or adverse changes in the economy. The amortization of our CDI is recorded in other non-interest expense. To the extent other identifiable intangible assets are deemed unrecoverable; impairment losses are recorded in other non-interest expense to reduce the carrying amount of the assets.

Transfers of financial assets — Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Right of use lease asset & lease liability — The Company leases retail space and office space under operating leases. Most leases require the Company to pay real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and other similar costs in addition to the base rent. Certain leases also contain lease incentives, such as tenant improvement allowances and rent abatement. Variable lease payments are recognized as lease expense as they are incurred.

We record an operating lease right of use (“ROU”) asset and an operating lease liability (lease liability) for operating leases with a lease term greater than 12 months. The ROU asset and lease liability are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated statements of financial condition. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized

at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Accordingly, ROU assets are reduced by tenant improvement allowances from property owners plus any prepaid rent. We do not separate lease and non-lease components of contracts. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we generally use our incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term of the lease payments at commencement date. Many of our leases contain various provisions for increases in rental rates, based either on changes in the published Consumer Price Index or a predetermined escalation schedule, which are factored into our determination of lease payments when appropriate. A majority of the leases provide the Company with the option to extend the lease term one or more times following expiration of the initial term. The ROU asset and lease liability terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Off-balance sheet credit related financial instruments — In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments — An allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments is maintained at a level that, in the opinion of management, is adequate to absorb current expected credit losses associated with the contractual life of the Banks’ commitments to lend funds under existing agreements such as letters or lines of credit. The Banks use a methodology for determining the allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments that applies the same segmentation and loss rate to each pool as the funded exposure adjusted for probability of funding. Draws on unfunded loan commitments that are considered uncollectible at the time funds are advanced are charged to the allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet exposures. Provisions for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments are recognized in non-interest expense and added to the allowance for credit losses - unfunded loan commitments, which is included in other liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Revenue from contracts with customers — The Company records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”). Under Topic 606, the Company must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. Significant revenue has not been recognized in the current reporting period that results from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

The Company’s primary sources of revenue are derived from interest and dividends earned on loans, investment securities, and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Topic 606. The Company has evaluated the nature of its contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income was not necessary. The Company generally fully satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered and the transaction prices are typically fixed; charged either on a periodic basis or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is limited judgment involved in applying Topic 606 that significantly affects the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.

Income taxesDeferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities represent the tax effect of temporary differences between financial reporting and tax reporting measured at enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes only the impact of tax positions that, based on their technical merits, are more likely than not to be sustained upon an audit by the taxing authority.

Developing the provision for income taxes, including the effective tax rate and analysis of potential tax exposure items, if any, requires significant judgment and expertise in federal and state income tax laws, regulations and strategies, including the determination of deferred income tax assets and liabilities and any estimated valuation allowances deemed necessary to value deferred income tax assets.  Judgments and tax strategies are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. While the Company believes it has no significant uncertain income tax positions in the consolidated financial statements, adverse determinations by these taxing authorities could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial positions, result of operations, or cash flows.

Basic and diluted earnings per common share — The Company’s common stock is not traded on any exchange. However, trades are reported on the OTCQX under the symbol “FMCB.” The shares are primarily held by local residents and are not actively traded. Basic earnings per common share amounts are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. There are no common stock equivalent shares. Therefore, there is no difference between presentation of diluted and basic earnings per common share.

Comprehensive income — The “Comprehensive Income” topic of the FASB ASC establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that U.S. GAAP recognize as changes in value to an enterprise but are excluded from net income. For the Company, comprehensive income includes net income and changes in fair value of its available-for-sale investment securities and amortization of net unrealized gains or losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity, net of related taxes.

Segment reporting — The “Segment Reporting” topic of the FASB ASC requires that public companies report certain information about operating segments. It also requires that public companies report certain information about their products and services, the geographic areas in which they operate, and their major customers.

The Company is a holding company for a community bank, which offers a wide array of products and services to its customers. Pursuant to its banking strategy, emphasis is placed on building relationships with its customers, as opposed to building specific lines of business. As a result, the Company is not organized around discernible lines of business and operates as an integrated unit to customize solutions for its customers, with business line emphasis and product offerings changing over time as customer needs and demands change.

Loss contingencies — Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are any such loss contingencies that will have a material and adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Advertising costs — Advertising costs are expensed when incurred and totaled $1.3 million in 2022, $1.1 million in 2021, and $0.9 million in 2020.

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption — The following paragraphs provide descriptions of newly issued but not yet effective accounting standards that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The amendments in this ASU are elective and provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform. The amendments in this ASU provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. ASU 2020-04 was effective upon issuance and, based upon the amendments provided in ASU 2022-06 discussed below, can generally be applied through December 31, 2024.  We have not elected to apply these amendments. However, we will assess the applicability of the ASU to us and continue to monitor guidance for reference rate reform from the FASB and its impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). The main amendments in this ASU are intended to clarify certain optional expedients and scope of derivative instruments. The amendments are elective and effective immediately upon issuance of this ASU. ASU 2021-01 was effective upon issuance and, based upon the amendments provided in ASU 2022-06 discussed below, can generally be applied through December 31, 2024. We have not elected to apply these amendments; however, we will assess the applicability of this ASU to us as we continue to monitor guidance for reference rate reform from the FASB and its impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

In March 2022, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2022-02, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures. The amendments in this ASU eliminate the current troubled debt restructuring (TDR) recognition and measurement guidance and, instead, require that a creditor evaluate (consistent with the accounting for other loan modifications) whether the modification represents a new loan or a continuation of an existing loan. The amendments also introduce new requirements related to certain modifications of receivables made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.

These amendments require vintage disclosures including current-period gross write-offs by year of origination for financing receivables. Gross write-off information must be included in the vintage disclosures in accordance with ASC 326-20-50-6, which requires disclosure of the amortized cost basis of financing receivables by credit quality indicator and class of financing receivable by year of origination. The Company has elected to adopt this portion of the amendments in the current year.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. These amendments should be applied prospectively, though for the transition method related to the recognition and measurement of TDRs, an entity has the option to apply a modified retrospective transition method, resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the period of adoption.

Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity elects to early adopt in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim

period. An entity may elect to early adopt the amendments about TDRs and related disclosure enhancements separately from the amendments related to the vintage disclosures. ASU 2022-02 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2023. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2022, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in this ASU affect all entities that have investments in equity securities measured at fair value that are subject to a contractual sale restriction. These amendments clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.  The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848.” ASU 2022-06 extends the period of time preparers can utilize the reference rate reform relief guidance provided by ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01, which are discussed above. ASU 2022-06, which was effective upon issuance, defers the sunset date of this prior guidance from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief guidance in Topic 848. We have not elected to apply amendments at this time, however, will assess the applicability of this ASU to us as we continue to monitor guidance for reference rate reform from FASB and its impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Adoption of New Accounting Standard — The Accounting Standards Codification™ (“ASC”) is the FASB officially recognized source of authoritative GAAP applicable to all public and non-public non-governmental entities.  Periodically, the FASB will issue Accounting Standard Updates (“ASU”) to its ASC. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under the authority of the federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for the Company as an SEC registrant. All other accounting literature is non-authoritative.

On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of  Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, as amended, which replaces the incurred loss methodology that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as CECL. The Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method for all financials assets measured at amortized cost and off-balance sheet credit exposures. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2022 are presented under ASC 326 while prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with previously applicable GAAP.

In adopting ASU 2016-13 (Topic 326) Management determined that the Weighted Average Remaining Maturity (“WARM”) method was most appropriate given the Company’s current size and complexity.

The implementation of CECL did not result in any material change in the amount of the Company’s December 31, 2021 Allowance for Credit Losses, therefore, no adjustment to Shareholders’ Equity was made as of January 1, 2022.

The main objective of this ASU is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The ASU affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial asset not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in previous GAAP with CECL, a methodology that reflects current expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This ASU requires a financial asset (or group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This ASU broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimate for assets measured either collectively or individually. The use of forecasted information incorporates more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss, which will be more decision useful to users of the financial statements.

The following table illustrates the pre-tax impact of the adoption of this ASU:


 
January-2022
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Reported under ASC
326
   
Reported
Pre-
Adoption
   
Impact of
ASC 326
Adoption
 
Allowance for credit losses:
                 
Real estate:
                 
Commercial
 
$
(17,379
)
 
$
(28,536
)
  $ 11,157  
Agricultural
   
(14,580
)
   
(9,613
)
    (4,967 )
Residential and home equity
   
(5,879
)
   
(2,847
)
    (3,032 )
Construction
   
(3,311
)
   
(1,456
)
    (1,855 )
Total real estate
   
(41,149
)
   
(42,452
)
    1,303  
Commercial & industrial
   
(11,417
)
   
(11,489
)
    72  
Agricultural
   
(6,363
)
   
(5,465
)
    (898 )
Commercial leases
   
(1,567
)
   
(938
)
    (629 )
Consumer and other
   
(511
)
   
(663
)
    152  
Total allowance for credit losses on loans
 
$
(61,007
)
 
$
(61,007
)
 
$
-